7/20/2019 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Maybe I had the best bottle ever in this vintage by this producer but I flat out loved this wine. From sip, to mouthfeel, to finish, it was so well balanced and really enjoyable. I don't really fawn over American pinot noir that often but for whatever reason, this one stood out and had me very pleased. Am actually about to head to the store to pick up a few more bottles.

3/2/2019 - Trader79 wrote:

My first Mascarello, for 40th bday celebration at Del Posto in NYC. I think I expected more? It was good, soft and delicate and balanced but lacked the depth I think I was expecting? Second bottle was a 2011 Produttori Barbaresco at ~1/4 of the price which I enjoyed a bit more. But think I will try a better vintage of this wine and see if that steps it up a notch.

1/20/2019 - Trader79 Does not like this wine:

Too green and bitter for my taste.

12/25/2018 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

I was pleasantly surprise when I was able to open this (albeit slowly) with a traditional wine opener. The cork did not break in half or crumble but instead slowly pulled out. What was inside was a typical classic 20 year old Bordeaux, some browning around the edges but the wine still had some secondary characteristics. Light overall but well balanced and very pleasant to drink. Not overly complex but considering this was opened on a whim, it was nice to drink alongside Christmas dinner (prime rib with peppercorn sauce)

12/16/2018 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Really good wine right out of the bottle (15 min decant). Red fruit, pencil shavings and very smooth. No apparent angularity. I would buy again for $24.

2/28/2018 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Aged Margaux, lots of secondary characteristics. Drink up sooner rather than later, a good value at $34 IMO

2/28/2018 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Silky black fruit, great balance, just an pleasure to drink. The last bottle at my local wine shop, $55. I'll be seeking out more 2008's now as a result.

Note, 1 hr decant prior to tasting, drank over next 4 hrs

3/14/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Not quite as good as the 2009 but still damn good. Similar flavor profile, tannins and overall experience. 93!

2/26/2017 - Trader79 wrote:

I got more enjoyment from a 2011 Heitz Cabernet than this bottle and at 1/3rd the cost. I must say I was pretty disappointed with my first Monte Bello experience.

2/6/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

After 30 mins in the glass, this is ready to go. Medium red, lighter weight but elegant mouth feel and terrific nose which pops out of the glass. ($47). Interesting note about flagship wines not being made in 2011 and this bottling most likely benefiting from that. 2011 was not a good Napa vintage and my experiences have been inconsistent thus far across producers but this bottle is very good and I will be buying again.

1/29/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Not as rich or complex as I expected for the price. Enjoyable but forgettable.

1/25/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Blue fruit is dead on for my bottle. 30+ mins in the glass and it's quite powerful aromatically. Good tannins, and a nice lingering finish. Undeniably a mountain Cabernet. Has years left IMO. Big fan of Robert Craig, have not had a bad bottle yet.

1/21/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Love this wine, it's both balanced and rich. Dark red, with sweet tannins and a lush mouth feel. After 30 mins in the glass (or less with a venturi), this really comes alive. I am going to try more from this producer.

1/21/2017 - Trader79 wrote:

Opened first day, had two glasses after 5 hours of decanting. Ok, but nothing amazing however I had read this needs more time. Corked and back in the fridge. 24 hrs later had another couple of glasses. Not much had changed. For me the 5th of the 6th glasses was the best but nothing spectacular enough to purchase for again. Having an 09 Dalle Valle (Collina) today which is much better IMO

1/15/2017 - Trader79 wrote:

Day 1 I would have given this an 85 but day 2, where I had ~70% left of this bottle was a totally different experience. Day 1 it was more astringent and had a green/herb streak that overshadowed any fruit. Day 2 (corked and stored in the fridge and then removed from fridge and left to get to room temp) sees all those day 1 characteristics gone and what was left was lightly sweet tannins and nice mature red fruit. What a difference a day makes!

1/7/2017 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Totally agree with Daved, this is terrific stuff.

12/24/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Too much Malbec for my taste (6%) and a little hot. I'm sure some like this style but I didn't feel I could even taste the 79% cabernet.

12/18/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

My first Hobb Cab....will not be my last!

12/10/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

More green than expected. Bell pepper flavors kind of dominate this bottle. Fruit is there but subtle. I paid less than $70 for a Jarvis Cab so I guess this is the risk you take for getting a below market price for a higher end producer. The tannins are still present but not abrasive. Wish the green notes were less prominent.

11/26/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Absolutely delicious. Medium bodied with subtly sweet tannins and a medium finish. I really liked this but probably not enough to pay $100 again. The Seavey Caravina from the same vintage was almost as good for half the price.

11/25/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Well worth the $50 I paid. Balanced wine with sweet tannins and a medium finish. I didn't think this needed much air time, 30 mins tops IMO. Very good!

11/18/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Silky, lighter weight with just a tad of heat on the end. Good wine for sure, not sure I'd pay $80 again, though.

4/6/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Better on day 2, much less overt oak.

4/5/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Tastes "manufactured" and oaky. Not terrible but I wouldn't buy again. I dont know what it is lately but ~$20-$24 are not as good of quality as they once were. Are corners being cut?

4/2/2016 - Trader79 Does not like this wine:

Wow, WE gave this a 90? First off, this is the darkest purple cabernet I've ever seen. It was so dark purple it basically looked almost black. Secondly, the flavor profile was just not for me. It's was heavy caramel and toasted oak. And there was almost no acid. If I had my eyes closed I still would have guessed I was drinking wine, but barely.

Big pass for me, even at $11. I'd take many wines half this price over this one.

3/2/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Major pass for a $70+ wine. At $25 I would agree this is pleasant (albeit not memorable) but at the price I paid I would not buy again.

2/22/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Mellow older wine. Past peak (this bottle from Winebid.com) but enjoyable nonetheless.

2/21/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

I was in a rush and picked this up thinking it was 100% Nebbiolo. Very dry out of the gate, needs a decent amount of air. Ironically I've had a few 2011 Barolo's that were more open initially than this wine was.

2/14/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Sweet and dry at the same time. Smooth, early drinking. I'm a fan of this style. $40 is a solid QPR.

2/13/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Dale Rattles nailed it

1/26/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

for 17.99 this is a buy IMO

1/23/2016 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Pure silk, medium to long finish, delicious. Somewhere between primary and secondary flavor profile, tannins only slightly noticeable on the finish which leads me to believe this will hold up for a few more years w/o issue.

1/18/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

The first bottle I had was tremendous, the ones I've had since have varied in quality. The only real consistent notes I've picked up on are some green/medicinal notes which I dont hate but I also dont prefer.

1/2/2016 - Trader79 wrote:

Solid. Slow Ox'ed for 3 hours and then had a glass every hour. Enjoyable experience. Orange outer rim but well balanced and solid Barolo

12/29/2015 - Trader79 Does not like this wine:

There is nothing going on here. Thanks, Lot18

12/25/2015 - Trader79 wrote:

Too high of an alcohol to fruit ratio for my taste. The 2005 I had a few years back was far superior IMO

12/13/2015 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

One of the best bottles I've ever had under $22.

9/29/2015 - Trader79 wrote:

Light, one dimensional, pleasant but not much more. Low acid, medium to short finish. The Russian River Valley offering is superior.

7/4/2015 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

2 hr decant, still young but very approachable. Delicious! Had this with a rack of lamb from Trader Joe's.

4/25/2015 - Trader79 wrote:

An almost weightlessness in the mouth but with a nice and long finish. Still a bit hot, only slightly though, which should subside with a bit more time in the bottle. Good wine though, would be interested to try this in a couple of years.

4/18/2015 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Great nose, powerful yet feminine and approachable now although this would certainly benefit from more time in the bottle. However, let it breathe for 30 mins to an hour now and you wont be disappointed.

4/12/2015 - Trader79 Does not like this wine:

Dark purple, low acid and not much finish. I thought 2012 was supposed to be a killer Napa vintage? For my palate, this is a pass.

3/21/2015 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Tremendous value at under $20. Really tasty stuff.

3/21/2015 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Nebbiolo with sweet edges. Good for under $30

4/26/2014 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Smooth, balanced and elegant, not much oak. My kind of cab.

2/26/2014 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Loved it. Great mouth-feel, smooth and soft but not in a flat kind of way. Just a great Cali cab all the way around.

2/8/2014 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Flat out delicious

1/21/2014 - Trader79 wrote:

Good CDP but not as great as I was hoping for for $60. Full disclosure, I asked the store clerk which CDP would be the best pop and pour and he said this one. I would say that the wine had only 5-10 mins in the glass prior to consuming and perhaps this would have benefited from more air.

1/12/2014 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Nice mature Bordeaux

1/9/2014 - Trader79 Likes this wine:

Excellent wine, so damn smooth!